Author Archives: LA Blogger Gal

Do You Read On Your iPhone?

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Or any smart phone for that matter.

I’ve been noticing more and more people talk about downloading books on either the Kindle app or the Eucalyptus app and happily, enjoyably reading books while they’re traveling.  Or while they’re waiting in line at the doctors or post office or whatever.

When I travel, I like to bring books (and magazines).  I can’t imagine not bringing a book.  For one reason, my husband will always, without doubt (unless we can’t get a connection and that’s now nearly improbable) be on his computer doing something or other.

But…I can also see how freeing it could be to not carry a book (or magazine) when traveling.  I don’t travel enough to warrant a Kindle or other e-reader.  Plus, I actually enjoy borrowing books from both friends and the library (or even buying second hand) so I’m not sure it would be worth the expense.

So, that all being said…do you use an app to do any sort of reading on your iPhone/Droid/Pre/Smartphone?  Do you enjoy it?  Is it worth the storage space it will undoubtedly suck up? Or would it be better to just try an audio book?

I’m very interested in seeing what you might have to say on this topic.  Very interested indeed, so please share away.

ETA:  ooooh, you can “buy” trashy Kindle novels on Amazon for free.  Might be worth it just for that 😛

Giveaway: $60 FREE food at Your Favorite NORMS

Norms

NORMS is turning 60 this year!

And to celebrate, they’re giving away $60 worth of food to one lucky My LA Blog reader.

That’s a whole lotta late night grub!!

Don’t forget to enter for your chance to win!!

So here’s the deal…stop by the NORMS of your choice between now and Wednesday, November 25th (the day before Thanksgiving) and take a photo (or video) of yourself, your friends, your family, your food, your waitress, your receipt, you name it…just let us see that it’s at NORMS and leave me the link to your photo here in the comments and you’re entered. No purchase necessary.

UPDATE: if that all sounds like too much work and you just don’t have the time to swing by NORMS any time soon (I know just how crazy pre-holiday season can be), just leave a comment tell me why you enjoy NORMS or what your favorite thing to order might be. We’re easy like that.

After Thanksgiving, I will use everyone’s favorite, handy dandy Random.org integer generator and pick a winner. That lucky winner will win $60 worth of free food at the NORMS of their choice.

And if you tweet about this contest or post it on your Facebook page or become a NORMS fan on Facebook, I’ll even throw in an extra chance to win. Just be sure to send me a screen cap or link to the tweet – each extra counts as one extra chance, so be sure to post them all individually in separate comments.

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OMG! I Think I Want to Take These Classes!

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breads

I first noticed these baking classes back in May or so.  At that time, I couldn’t even consider baking in our apartment (or any time between April and October due to the crazy heat and lousy air conditioning). But i kept their info close by because it all just all sounds SO DARN GOOD!

Bread Baking Classes at Gourmandise Desserts

An intensive bread series that would include sweets, savories and breakfast favorites. The three-part series can be broken up, but we would love to see you master all three!

Bread Series 1: Yeast Breads
Yeast breads are simple once you learn how to make a quick starter! You will make Sticky Buns, Quick Rolls and Cinnamon Rolls from one dough and both Sweet and Chocolate Brioches from another. Quick Yeast Bread Base, Brioches Dough, Apple Pecan Sticky Bun Filling, Caramel Glaze, Cinnamon Raisin Filling, Cream Cheese Glaze, Buttery Brioches- and more!

Bread Series 2: Quick Breads and Muffins
Warm muffins and tea loaves are such a special treat- but so often turn out dense or dry. Well fear no more! You’ll not only learn how to perfect your muffin batter, but you’ll make recipes that are easy to make in just a few minutes. Tea loaves and quick breads are great for any meal; we love them both sweet and savory, and always make a few more than we need! (And who doesn’t love eating veggies for breakfast)??!

Bread Series 3: Savory Breads
The Bread Series ends with a savory note; this class is sure to please! You will make three very different bases and work with many delicious combinations of herbs, spices and cheeses to make these delicacies pop. Vegetarian Gougere, Cured Ham and Cheese Gougere, Fresh and Easy Pizza Dough Tomato Foccacia Bread, OliveBread, Parmesan-crusted Rolls

Classes take place at Gourmandise at the St Joseph Center 204 Hampton Drive, Venice CA 90291

If you want to learn more, check out their site and maybe I’ll see you there!!

The Original Real Housewives

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The Bitches are Back!!

Is anyone else as excited as I am to be watching those Orange County gals live their happy little, gated-community lives?  Better yet, is anyone else thrilled (okay, that might be a bit harsh) that Tamara’s marriage doesn’t seem to be going too well?

Let the drama begin!!

Being Sick Sucks

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sick_girl

I’ve been noticing some (seeming) breathing challenges the past week or so.  You know the kind, where it feels like you’re back in middle school in Jersey (pick any cold location here) in the dead of winter having to run outside for PE.  My chest has been feeling like that these past couple days. Just walking from the car to the front door leaves me achey and feeling winded.

Then late last night, before bed, I notice the ginormous purple bags under my eyes.  Beautiful I’m sure.

I’m kinda bummed.  I’ve been taking some amazing homeopathic meds for my sinus issues and I’ve been crazy impressed by how well it was working.  Of course, just the other day I bragged to my husband how this is the longest I’ve gone in a year or so without a sinus infection.  And blamo, the chest aches started up *grr*

I’m still crazy impressed with the homeopathic meds I’ve been taking for a couple months now (check it out if you have ANY kind of sinus crap going on –  Sinus Wars –  I can’t recommend it enough) and will continue to take those little pellets.  But, I think my chest might need some old school antibiotics.

If I wasn’t teaching, I’d wait it out and just go with the natural stuff.  But I don’t have that extra time right now.

All I want now is soup.  I wonder if I can convince the hubs to head out for some soup for dinner. Wonton soup would be perfect.

In the meantime, back to arranging for the upcoming gift guides.  Tons of works, but also lots of fun.

It’s That Time of Year Again

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And no, I’m not talking Christmas.  Nope, I’m talking cooking! Winter cooking (you know, the only time I can actually cook).

Better still, holiday cooking.

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Any other time of the year, I can walk away from magazine; cooking, entertaining, decorating, womens, you name it.  But as soon as the “holiday” features start to show up on the covers, they go home with me.

Then I read them.  Devour what they have to say.  Oooh and ahhh over the recipes and photos.

And sadly, never cook or bake a damn thing from them.

*sigh*

It’s too much to make for just the two of us and my inlaws won’t eat anything they’ve never eaten before.  So there’s no one to cook it for.

Of course that won’t stop me from buying a few more magazines before the year is over.  What can I say, it’s a weakness.  Thankfully, it’s not a terribly expensive weakness and it only happens once a year.

What’s your holiday-related weakness?

FREE Micro-Zone Treatment at Dermalogica Ends Friday

Calling all you local readers, time is running out for your chance to win…

dermalogica_pod

I didn’t want you to forget to enter for your chance to get a free treatment at the Dermalogica on Montana location in Santa Monica (the contest ends Friday – that’s tomorrow!).  I received my microZone® treatment Tuesday night and it was beyond heavenly.  Who knew that a quick, twenty minute treatment would leave me feeling so relaxed.

Typically you can either choose which 20-minute, microZone® session you’d like to have, or you can let the estheticians do their job and offer you the treatment that you need most.  I had the basic blackhead relief complete with everyone’s favorite…extractions and my personal favorite the high frequency wand.  Luckily, there were only a few extractions.  And yes, I left forking over a goodly amount of money for some new, much needed products.

My friend had an awesome soothing treatment of some sort (not on the standard microZone® service menu).  She’s typically prone to some red blotches (and like me, the dreaded adult acne), so this treatment was just what she needed.  It was amazing how non-red (guess that’s not really a word, but I’m sure you get what I’m trying to say) her face looked when we left there.  These ladies really know what they’re doing and they know how to squeeze it into a 20-minute session to give you exactly what your face (or hands) need.

And if you’re a bit of an architectural geek, I’m sure you’ll get a kick out of the storefront.  It’s their original “concept space” (one of only six worldwide) and very futuristic and spacey.  It reminds me of something out of that Woody Allen movie, Sleeper that I saw as a kid.  Very cool vibe.  And I love that your treatments happen in pods and you don’t have the standard new agey music.

I certainly wouldn’t want you to miss out on this fantastic opportunity to win, so be sure to enter NOW!!

And while you’re in the entering contests mode, be sure to enter for your chance to win $60 in NORMS food!

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